What religious rights, if any, are currently being eroded in the USA?

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In my view, the erosion of rights of minority religions is MORE likely if one particular religion is given any special status or influence.

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As is evidenced by the Puritans moving to the American colonies from England to avoid religious persecution by the Church of England. The US was founded on religious freedom, not government endorsement of specific religions (as I am sure you are very aware of).

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Constitutional constraints on establishment of religion are a necessary (but not sufficient) condition for reliable protection of religious rights.

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Very true. Societal pressures are outside the Constitutions reach. The Constitution is a stop gap between societal pressures and the implementation of law. An Establishment Clause might not prevent social persecution, but it helps to prevent government persecution, as well as encourage government protection of minority opinions. What I see in America right now is people ignoring this fact, that the Constitution is there to protect the minority at the expense of limiting the majority. Somehow "but most of us believe in this" is suddenly a sufficient argument for guiding the formation of law.

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Yes, Jesus said to sell all that you have and give the money to the poor.

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Sorry if this has already been mentioned, but didn't Jesus say "give unto Caesar what is Caesar's"? This seems to directly address the issue of taxes as it applies to christians. Jesus seems to indicate that christians are to give to the state what the state demands. Nowhere do I see Jesus saying that the church should have special tax status.

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Who determines what belongs to Caesar ?

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Caesar.

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Jesus didn't say to give to Caesar whatever he demands. His answer is ambiguous enough to not make conclusions like yours.

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Not at all. Here is Matthew 22:15-22 (NIV) It seems you are trying to trap us like the Pharisee's tried to trap Jesus. Jesus very clearly states that if it is the state's money, the state controls it.This message has been edited by Loudmouth, 05-06-2004 11:33 AM

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Your conclusion is called rhetoric, which is the misuse of logic to support an assertion.

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Do you know what the definition of irony is?